Edith Wislocki's hay field and surrounding woods, which she aims to place under conservation restrictions.
The Hollinsheads raised three daughters on the property. They collected tadpoles and tracked salamanders and learned to steer clear of snapping turtles. Mary built or restored stone walls and gardened. Bill made furniture from felled trees. The family mows a meadow next to their house, but most of the land is untouched.
The Hollinsheads have purchased a condo, packed their boxes and will hang a “for sale” sign in a few weeks. Without the conservation agreement, there’s no guarantee a new owner will preserve the land. “It’s constant, and it’s been constant for two years,” she said. “I keep wanting to say there’s a restriction, but there isn’t because it hasn’t happened yet.”
The Healey administration is counting on carbon stored in trees, crops, salt marshes and ponds to help Massachusetts get to its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. Environmental advocates say boosting incentives like the tax credit program must be part of the state’s plan.